April 2012 newborns: the insomnia continues...

[LaTristesse]

Hello fellow April mums. Following on from our lovely ante-natal threads, here's the first of the post-natal ones. Join us as we work out how to handle nappies, feeding, colic, crying and all things newborn, or just to celebrate the joys of a new baby!

kat sorry to hear you are feeling low, it is bloody hard trying to juggle the needs of more than one child. I end up feeling bad too for being a shouty mum with my dd & other ds. We are human though & when sleep deprived etc it's not surprising we are a bit unravelled. Challenging tantruming behaviour is hard at the best of times let alone when you've got a newborn.

Re the School thing if it makes you feel any better my good friend forgot to get her application in too on a previous years selection (she had other stuff on her mind to). Anyway she appealed & was granted a space in the second round. It was all highly nerve racking but it did turn out ok in the end. Can you go through the appeal process? Try not to be too hard on yourself bet their's loads of people across the country who did the same. YOU ARE NOT A RUBBISH MUM.

Hayley sleep deprivation is so so hard. Can you feed laying down so you can rest? Maybe Noah is having a growth spurt & in a day or two he'll go back to sleeping for longer periods. Hang on in there, eat nice things & keep reminding yourself this won't last forever, though it feels terribly long at the time.

Hugs to all.

Kat I can totally sympathise, sleep deprivation is a form of torture and its so hard to be calm and rational when dealing with todder tantrums and a newborn. My ds has just suddenly decided not to have a daytime nap and also that 4.30am is time to get up! I've been shouty mum too and feel so guilty because I know this is all normal 2yo behaviour but when I've had such a pathetic amount of sleep its more than I can handle. Just remember its all a phase and we are all just doing our best, no one gets it right all the time but we just muddle through as best we can.

Count me in on the diet club, 2st to lose here

We had our 6 week check this week, gp checked my scar and said everything looks ok so I'm hoping to find some spare time to shag dh! I was getting a bit paranoid because I had an infection in my stitches and despite me repeatedly asking the midwives didn't ever check the stitches . He's very happy with dd so we just need to keep an eye on her weight now, she is gaining steadily just not very fast!

I hope everyone had a good night and managed to get a bit more sleep than me!

Kat I was going to say are same as buns. Can you appeal? Mention that you were pregnant and were high complications, you never know, it might help...

You're not a bad mother at all, just a tired and stressed one. When DD is crying ad won't settle I lay on the bed with her next to me on her side and stroke her back while talking really calmly and repeating 'mummy's here, you're alright'. Takes a while but it really seems to sooth her and he falls asleep. A dummy helps too, or I'll offer the boob and feed laying down.

Could you maybe get DS1 involved with Aaron? Maybe get him tonptroare the wipes and nappy for a change, or choose what babygrow he can wear? Francesca is my first so that might be a bit pie in the sky and naive

We are appealing and if I get a hearing I will make sure I mention I was pregnant etc in the hope it helps.

We have tried getting him involved but he's not really interested. Will keep going though as it would be better for all of us so he doesn't feel so left out. Today is a new day :)

Hope everyone got some sleep xx

Kat you are not rubbish - our ds1 (3.9) has behaved appallingly since ds2 arrived. I've also been shouty mum far too many times for my liking and now when he's being naughty he only responds to my raised voice (selective hearing on my polite pleas for restraint).
He's also watched a lot of DVDs and played a lot of the cbeebies website.
Buns has wise words on the school app thing. It's good that there is availability in your area. Our whole borough has no spaces at all.

I have 1.5 stone to lose. Currently 4lbs over my booking in weight - but I'd already put on so much by 10 weeks as I was on steroids. Not sure I can bring myself to diet just yet - but it'll have to happen soon. Going away for a week in Aug, would be nice to be able to fit into my old clothes by then. Still in maternity leggings.

Thanks buns he slept from 11.30-1.15 and then woke at 2.30, 3.15, 4, 5.20 and then 8 which although horrendous compared to everyone else's babies is pretty average for us so I don't feel too bad today.
I'm wondering if his lack of sleep is anything to do with being a prem. I met a lady at my postnatal group who's baby was also 6 weeks but born 8 week early, & like Noah woke to feed every hour & a half. I'm hoping it's just taking his system a little longer but in a few weeks he'l be sleeping better.
Attempted feeding lying down last night, it's fine when he's latched on but when he comes off he can't get back on on his own so there's a lot of up & down. Will keep trying though as It is def more comfortable.

kat your not a bad mum! Knowing how much time one baby takes up I honestly have no idea how anyone deals with 2, it's normal that your feeling ratty at times.
Like buns said you could appeal. But remember even if your DS doesn't get into your first choice school doesn't mean he won't get a great education elsewhere.
Hope things calm down for you soon - always rant away on here none of us will judge you. Don't feel crap I'm sure your doing an amazing job xxx

I have to say, I don't know how you mums of toddlers and new borns do it. Although I feel guilty that I,m neglecting my older ones, they seem to be handling baby ok and help out if I need to nip out or have a shower. Saying that, I,m an old mum with very little energy these days.
Madly though DH and I surprisingly ended up having sex for the first time this morning (forgotten how great without a bump it is) but didn't use any protection!!! How stupid are we?! Please tell me that with a 4 week old and fully breast feeding I can't get pregnant!
2 and a half stone to lose here, so much I can't get my head round where to begin.... With a biscuit methinks ;)

Re feeding laying down. If ds can't latch when I am laying down I sort of prop myself up on my elbow, lean forward to get him latched then straighten my elbow out so I am flat again. Not sure that I explained that very well. Anyway, I'm not fully sitting up to rematch iykwim. Also I put a rolled up blanket behind ds' lower back bottom to keep him from rolling backwards & unlatching by accident (he can still come off if he wants to)

I have about 1.5 stone to lose to get back to pre children weight but 1 stone to my weight before I had this baby. Cannot face dieting when enduring such sleep deprivation. That will come later for me.

banana it is possible but pretty unlikely to get pregnant quite so quickly when ebf. I have one friend who was ebf & got her period at 6 weeks, most others I know more like 6 months -18 months.

There is nothing worse than the never ending tiredness tha seems to come with parenthood JustHayley try to rest when you can.

Kat you are doing a great job and need to be kinder to yourself. As I am learning being a parent isn't all baby massage and yoga classes. There is the sleepless night, non stop feeding (Harry can demand upto 10 feeds a day, with the nappies to go with it) Re school applications as Buns said appeal.

We are always here to let people vent and no judgement.

Bananna1 I know the feeling I don't where to begin and the brabantia is calling "come and eat all the biscuits"

digitalgirl I know thw feeling.

Although I can almost fit into my pre preg jeans again. They do up but pinch a little. xx

Yummy - I can get into my pre-preg jeans, and even do the zip up - but I'm not sure I can sit down in them!!

Grandparents are up today, and doting over Bill, so it's been quite relaxing and lovely. They're also coming up in a month to babysit one afternoon whilst DH and I go out for a wine tasting (I'll be using the spitoon...) It'll be our first time away from the little one, and he'll be 2 1/2 months old. It's only for an afternoon and I know he'll be in good hands - so I'll have a few bottles in the fridge and leave them to it!

So it's great that my expressing went well yesterday... 3 1/2 oz just like that, which DH fed to Bill straight away, and he took to it no problems.

The most stressful part was sterilising and assembling the bloody pump!

I hope everyone's managed to catch up on their sleep...I'm terrible without it and really feel for you guys. As for forgetting to fill in a form when you're pregnant - do not give yourself a hard time. It's totally understandable.

Off to watch the tennis now, whilst my parents change the little one's nappy!

Stealth boast alert.......

DD just spelled herself to sleep in her Moses basket. Granted it was after a feed and she is bloody knackered and it took 20 mins of her talking to herself but she's bloody done it. I wonder how long it'll last :)

spannermary that is not fair It is great Bill id being doted over. Harry loves his Nana & Grandad days. They are having him a day next week so DP and I can have a day together. We might take the soft top for a spin. Enjoy the rest.

Well done HollyPockett

Harry is crying after being fed, changed and cuddled. Bad bad mummy. putting him down. xx

Had a better day today. I have sent off my appeal and my new preference form (just in case) so they will definitely have those in time.

Went into town today and Aaron slept most of the time as he was being pushed in the pram so ds1 and I had some quality time together. We went to m&s and had cake and coffee (ds has apple juice). I bought him a bath toy and "us" some snap cards so we can have quick fun times.

Hope you lovely ladies are all well. Can't believe how quickly you are all losing weight, anyway to get my milk flowing again now its dried up as bf is clearly the best weight loss plan :)

settled not spelled!

I'm on my own tonight with DS for the first time - DH has done a knight in shining armour act to his dad and driven him down to Devon. What do I do when DS inevitably won't settle after his 2 or 3am feed? Usually after an hour, I poke DH and say "right, you'd deal with him" and go back to sleep, but I can't tonight

No idea if I am losing weight - haven't been weighed since 12 weeks. However I cannot fit into my lovely summer linen trousers yet C'mon bum fat, shift!

Sprinkling sleepy dust over everyone's babes tonight

Tea - hope you're okay tonight. I have 4 nights on my own soon when DH goes away for a conference.

Holly - well done! :) Emily sort-of put herself to sleep earlier in the car seat. She was awake when I brought her indoors; she cried a tiny bit so I was about to get her out when I realised she was asleep. Still asleep 1.5 hours later. Daren't move her!

Kat - glad you're feeling better today. I didn't realise you had to apply for primary schools.

Spanner - wine tasting sounds fun :)

Yummy - I'm in pre-preg jeans but only my big pre-preg jeans that were always too big . I'm down to 10st4lb and want to get to 9st7lb. I don't plan to diet - just eat healthily and exercise.

Had my 6-week midwife check today and all is good - stitches all gone. Emily has her check at 2 months with her pediatrician.

I don't know how U mums do it? with more than one child, your amazing. I find it hard with just one baby.

Its been over 2 wks since i cried, getting used to having 5-6 hours sleep now. My friend cried at out baby weigh inn, she has a 10 wk old and 3 and a 5 yr old, it must be so hard!

I'm still half a stone to a quarter, over my post baby weight. I fit in some of my old things, ive just brought a few new bits lately. I've lost a stone a half since having Lyra. All the feeding lol.
I'll be in the diet club, Id like to start back doing keep fit or zumba but i have a feeling ill be too knackered.

Ok. Who replaced my feeding-every-four-hours-in-the-night DD and replaced her with this up every two bloody hours minx???

She's also becoming really fussy on the boob, which is new too. Bah

Holly how old is she now? Sounds like it could be a growth spurt.

Hey Holly, am up feeding too! Hope our LO settle soon.... Never been a four hour feeder apart from 2 freak one-offs, but this is our 3rd feed since coming to bed at 23.30 which is worse than usual. Also; a major dirty nappy & a soaked through wet one & lots of crying which are all unusual. May be a growth spurt if your LO also fussing? I thought we'd had ours here as LO 7 wks.
Been catching up on posts tonight & have decided my DD must be huge compared to the other baby girls here. She's 11lbs 8oz, which is 3lbs 9oz above her birthweight at 7wks!
Also; Kat Buns & a'one else who feel like shouty mums, I'm one too :-(
Feel so fed up telling my 6 & 4 yo off. Worse because the 4yo is plain exhausted partly due to the heat, partly cos I can't get her to bed early enough due to baby. No bedtime story all week as no time

Am sooooo tired tonight & have 2 evenings out (Fri & Sat), which I can't get out of & right now am dreading. Im still 1st overweight & have had to buy new clothes, which I can't really afford. Haven't even. contemplated trying on my pre-pregnancy jeans as would be too depressing!! Am exercising daily now (hate dieting), but finding chocolate SO hard to resist in the evenings....is the diet club a separate thread?

Am STARVING now & know I should try to sleep, but really fancy a bowl of fruit and fibre! Mind you, havent tried putting DD down yet, so may not be an option anyway as she's cried every other time so far!

Hey Vintage! What time is it with you? How's your Emily Grace doing? Was just thinking; tonight is hard, but I'm getting so many beautiful spontaneous smiles every day now that it's worth the crappy nights!

Jellybelly DS is 13lb 4oz - your LO is now what he was born (if you want a sense of size!)

I looked at DD's book last night, she was 13lb at 20w - she is a dainty thing though.

DS is also being fussy and on the boob a lot so think the growth spurt has hit. Got a prescription for the Pill yesterday, Dr said it may reduce my milk supply though (so DS would have to work doubly hard to build my supply back up) so not sure if I want to risk taking it (it's not like we're having lots of sex anyway). Hmm, not sure what to do.

Half term next week which means DH will be here and under my feet all week again

Vintage she's 5 weeks so think it is a growth spurt, doesn't make it any easier at 4am though :) thankfully she went to sleep until 7.30 so I managed to get a good chunk of sleep. Wod have thoughtbthatbid think 3.5 hours was "a good chunk" :)

DD is now 9.4 at 5 weeks, she was 6.8 at birth so she's doing well! She's still doing her grunting and groaning routine after her feeds p, but only when she's laid down in her Moses basket, when she's on me I don't get a peep... Have bought some gripe water, I may try it when it's particularly bad..

jelly how was the fruit and fibre?

Anyone have plans for the jubilee weekend? I have a BBQ, 1 st bdaybparty and I'm gong to try to get to the river to see the river pageant on Sunday. I grew up really close to London bridge so by hook or by crook I'm going back to " my manor" to see it, tourists be damned!

I've also promised to make a trifle, what the hells bells was I thinking?